Montgomery County, Maryland's Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) Law is now in effect! Learn more here: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/bag/ 📷: Renee Grebe, Angie McCarthy, Ben Israel

Happy 2026! Let's take a look back at everything we accomplished in 2025 - thanks to you. We're so excited to continue to protect, restore, and advocate for nature this year!

New article by Samir Ali Nomani, Fairfax County Times: “Board votes to allow electrical substations 100 feet from homes” Renee Grebe, our VA Conservation Advocate, is quoted explaining the impact this decision will have on VA residents and the environment. www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/boa...

Yesterday, the Maryland General Assembly voted to override Gov. Wes Moore's veto of the Data Center Study Bill! This could not have been achieved without you - 1,179 letters were sent to the Maryland General Assembly asking lawmakers to pass legislation to study the impacts of data centers.

Our Collective Power Hour is in less than ONE hour! The Maryland General Assembly's special session will begin on Tuesday - this means we have less than one week to contact elected officials about data center reform. Join our Power Hour at 12pm to take action: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

A few more vibrant colors you can find at Woodend and in the Capital Region! Not sure if we could just pick one…

There are so many beautiful colors to see at Woodend and in the Capital Region throughout the year that it’s hard to just pick one!

There are still a few hours left to give today! We made strides at Woodend to restore out forests and we have advocated for our communities across the Capital Region. Every gift, large or small, makes a real difference! Click here to give what you can: give.natureforward.org/campaign/738...

It’s Giving Tuesday! Thanks to supporters like you, we have been able to accomplish SO much in the past year! Help us continue our mission of connecting people and nature in the Capital Region by clicking here: give.natureforward.org/campaign/738...

Today is Giving Tuesday! Take a moment to hear about all the work that your donations have helped support this year. Want to help us continue our mission of connecting people and nature in the Capital Region? Click here: give.natureforward.org/campaign/738...

Join Montgomery County SWPN this Thursday! Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Giving Tuesday is Tomorrow! Take a look at what our staff members have been able to accomplish in 2025, thanks to supporters like you. Want to give early? Learn more here: give.natureforward.org/campaign/738...

Our Maryland Conservation Advocate, @angie22mccarthy.bsky.social, has been nominated for Technical.ly's 2025 Maryland Thought Leader of the Year for her amazing work on data center reform! Vote before Sunday (November 30) to support Angie and help her win: technical.ly/vote.

With Swamp Rose, @gonatureforward.bsky.social, CASA-affiliated Workers Co-op Without Borders LLC, volunteers, and youth, we created two gardens in Langley Park! Our community came together to grow green spaces and resilience. Thanks Chesapeake Bay Trust. Story by @wtopnews.bsky.social

Our forests at Woodend are looking beautiful as the trees prepare for winter! Their leaves are turning all shades of yellow, orange, and red. Check out how different native species look and are changing colors, and keep an eye out for them on your next walk before fall is over!

Nature Forward is hiring! We are looking for a Maryland Research & Outreach Intern to work with our Maryland Conservation Advocate and support our data center reform work through research, writing, and community engagement. Apply by November 19th at 5pm: natureforward.org/wp-content/u...

Join the Montgomery County Stormwater Partners Network's next Lunch and Learn: Let's Move Beyond Plastic on December 4 from 12-1pm. They will discuss what impacts plastic pollution has on our communities, and what actions we can take to fight this issue. Sign up here: forms.gle/HyUBrn9ztvAg...

One week away! The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland is hosting From Redlining to Renew: Advancing Reparative Justice in Policy & Practice on Wednesday, November 5th from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Join us and register here: #[bit.ly/3Jca09c

Why do we associate these animals with Halloween? Is it because they make scary sounds or roam around in the shadows? Either way, these spooky creatures serve important ecological roles in our ecosystems. Spider, Crow, and Owl photos by Jane Gamble Bat photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

It's almost Halloween! Check out some spooky native plants you might find on your next walk through the woods. You won't find Bloodroot or Ghost Plant flowering this time of year, but Doll's Eyes keep their berries until the end of October and Witch Hazels bloom throughout the fall.

A new article from the Baltimore Banner, mentioning our Director of Conservation, Lydia Lawrence, and our Maryland Conservation Advocate, @angie22mccarthy.bsky.social, discusses the impacts of data center developments in Maryland and Virginia: www.thebanner.com/economy/data...

@angie22mccarthy.bsky.social, our Maryland Conservation Advocate, had a great conversation about data centers with Citizens for Accountability in Governance. Watch the video below to hear from Angie as well as environmental experts, Julie Bolthouse and David Arndt: youtu.be/44DcfArtF7M?...

Prince George's County deserves professionals, not public servants who have been fired from their roles due to gross negligence. Let your councilmembers know to vote no to Dr. Moki for PG County's head of Department of the Environment: natureforward.org/prince-georg...

Nature Forward is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a passionate advocate for empowering individuals and communities to protect and preserve the natural world. May her legacy continue to inspire us all.

This article written by Jamon Overby, our DC Conservation Advocate, explains why this bill is vital for cleaning up our streams in neighborhoods across all eight wards. Find more information and ways you can make a difference here: www.choosecleanwater.org/blog/2025/9/...

The DC Council's hearing on the proposed bottle bill is ongoing! Over 200 people signed up to testify, including our Grassroots Engagement Coordinator, Douglas McRae. The bill aims to reduce litter and river pollution.

This video from @angie22mccarthy.bsky.social shows just close these facilities are to neighborhoods and communities in Northern Virginia.

We kicked off our Building Community Power for Data Center Reform course today by touring Data Center Alley in Ashburn, VA. These photos show a data center that uses more than 100 diesel generators for emergency energy backup. The facility is right next to a residential neighborhood and park.

Another EJ issue: the areas where gas peaker plants are staying online are NOT the areas where they are getting the financial benefits of data center development. They have no say in the matter!

The data center demand is through the roof: DCs generally have a low vacancy rate so companies feel like they can continuing building since companies want their servers before the buildings are even built.

Inspired by Rachel Carson's vision, Nature Forward's youth programs are designed to spark curiosity, joy, and discovery. Days Off Camp kicks off next week — if your child is off October 2, we’d love to welcome them for a day of exploration and hands-on fun 🔗 natureforward.org/program/day-...

Today marks the 63rd anniversary of Rachel Carson's influential book, Silent Spring, that kickstarted the modern environmental movement. The ideas written about in Silent Spring are still relevant today as we continue in our work to protect and advocate for nature!

Hmm, where do frogs come from? Why do birds migrate? Whose fur is that? Ask all these questions and more at Woodend’s Nature Play Space THIS SATURDAY, September 27 between 10am and noon for free, family-friendly📍8940 Jones Mill Rd, Chevy Chase, Md.

It’s Fall🍁Our GreenKids educators are engaging MCPS high school biology classes in outdoor learing. Over the year, we will work with thousands of students to better understand the health of our shared waters.

Next month — when school is closed, nature is open for fun! We're so excited to welcome campers back to Woodend for exploration, learning, and fun! If you’ve registered for our October 2 Day Off Camp, be sure to tell a friend — the more, the merrier! Details here: natureforward.org/program/day-...

@JonBatiste ‘s climate song is “a warning set to a dance beat.” The video is out - let’s make it viral. jonbatiste.com/petrichor #ClimateWeekNYC

Hello and welcome to another Monday morning meandering ! Today, we are introducing our two new Maryland Climate Corps members, Esö and Bella! Maybe you’ll see them around!

🍂 Fall is Here — and So is Pumpkin Spice Season! 🎃 Celebrate sweater weather and all things pumpkin by treating yourself to the Birds & Beans limited edition, 100% Bird Friendly, Organic Pumpkin Spice Roast. Shop in person or online: natureforward.org/shop

Find Nature Forward’s table at the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly and DC VOAD’s Open House on September 29 — we look forward to meeting you!

#OTD in 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico. Ada Monzón became a lifeline for over 3 million people, delivering vital information. In 2018, she was named National Weatherperson of the Year. The next year, she joined us at the Naturally Latinos Conference. What an honor

Today’s visitor—spotted by our wonderful preschool team—is reminding us to hop into the weekend! (Gray Tree Frog, Dryophytes versicolor) To our delightful preschool families: we’ll see you back on Monday, the first day of fall!

The DC Council approved the Washington Commanders' return to the RFK site with $1B in taxpayer subsidies for the team's owners. But what about the health of the Anacostia River and affordable housing? Read our full statement here: natureforward.org/sustainable-...

Meet our Preschool Director - Dr. Rose Brusaferro! Rose researched environmental literacy and human-nature connections. Our preschoolers experience so much joy every day…naturally! Our next preschool open house on Oct. 20. Sign up here to learn more and enroll your child: tinyurl.com/2mr234w2

Happy National Pawpaw Day! North America's largest fruit can be found all over the DC area in the early fall. You can collect up to half a gallon from Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, or you can stop by the Annual Maryland Pawpaw Fest in Frederick!

In the News: Our own Lydia Lawrence was quoted in a story about the growing presence of data centers in Maryland. Nature Forward is proud to stand alongside others advocating for sustainable data center development. Our thanks to everyone speaking up on this important issue. tinyurl.com/4v4k5844

Preschoolers need more outdoor time. If you agree, please tell your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to mark their calendars. The Nature Forward Preschool Fall Open House is Monday, October 20, 2025, from 10 to noon. Please RSVP: tinyurl.com/5ayn2uj7

What’s at Woodend this Wednesday? We are excited to feature Woodend’s resident red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Bob! We're so glad he's here. Next time you’re at Woodend keep an eye out for him! (He is likely snacking on local sourced rodents)

Join Nature Forward at @earthsangha.bsky.social's Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale on Sunday, Sept. 21, in Springfield, VA! We're excited to be part of this fantastic event with other inspiring orgs. Stop by our table to say hello and chat about native plants, invasives, and local conservation!

The W&OD Trail is a Northern Virginia treasure at risk. Yet Dominion’s clear-cutting and a potential long-shot commuter rail proposal could significantly change this important corridor. This op-ed explains why we must act now to protect the trail: ggwash.org/view/100790/...

See you soon!